Fishing, walking, cycling, playing and taking in some of the most stunning inland scenery Cornwall has to offer. Siblyback Lake is a paradise for anyone who wants to take in the country air, day or night. It’s on the edge of Bodmin Moor, not too far to the north of Liskeard and lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty due to the stunning views of the moors all around.
One of the best ways to appreciate Siblyback is to strap on those boots and take a 5km walk around the lake. Or maybe climb on a bike and cycle around its pretty environs. You’ll need to take time admiring the impressive Siblyback Dam, which was completed in 1969, while spotting the flora and fauna in the surrounding woodlands. And you’ll certainly need to take refreshment at Olive and Co café, which serves up some cracking cakes and artisanal coffees.
Car parking at the lake is £2 for two hours and £4 for the whole day. The proceeds go towards helping to maintain the beauty spot. Kids are well catered for as well, for there’s an activity centre on the edge of the water that comes equipped with basket swings, slides, obstacles and a sand pit so the little ones can have fun while you admire those breathtaking views of the moors and lake. Plus, if you venture here at night you’ll hopefully be treated to a vivid display of stargazing as Bodmin Moor is an International Dark Sky Landscape.
Camping is also available at Siblyback but one of our favourite pastimes here is fishing for rainbow, brown and blue trout. No, you can’t catch a whopper and take it home with you as any catches must be released back into the lake – that means using barbless hooks only – but the fish fight hard and the banks are perfect to cast off from. This costs, so find out all the details of buying a ‘catch and release ticket’ on the South West Lakes Trust website. Alternatively, scan the website for details of boat hires so you can dangle your rod in the centre of the lake for a wholly different experience. So, yeah, whether you’re angling for a trout or stretching those legs around the prettiest lake in Cornwall, you’re in for a treat at Siblyback. Aptly named, really, because, simply, you will be back.